Tag: Holly Holm

This saturday’s loss at UFC 208 was particularly bitter for Holly Holm. Not because it was her third loss in as many fights, not because she missed an opportunity to win the first ever women’s featherweight title, and not because she took a lot of damage. No, what made this fight particularly bitter were the shots landed after the bell and the points that weren’t taken for it.

If you know me, which many of you don’t, you’d understand that I’m absolutely in love with striking. I certainly love MMA and respect the ground game a ton (this coming from a guy who was thoroughly entertained by Jon Fitch back in the day), but striking has always been my favorite part of the game and as such, I do have a leaning towards striking based fighters. But after witnessing the main event of UFC 208 it became painfully obvious that what was missing was some quality grappling work, mainly on Holly Holm’s end who initiated the wrestling exchanges.

Well that was interesting to say the least. UFC 208 wasn’t the most action packed event of the new year and it’s definitely left us with more questions than answers at its conclusion. Holly Holm failed to be the first woman to win belts in multiple divisions as she dropped a razor close decision to Germaine de Randamie or the post bell puncher as she’s begun to be labeled. The fight was competitive with a few slow spots here and there. But the drama surrounding the main event more than made up for any lulls in the action. So what’s the takeaway from UFC 208?

(“While the world did gaze with deep amaze, At those fearless men but few, Who bore the fight that freedom’s light, Might shine through the foggy dew…” via Getty)

In 1993, the Gracie family brought in fighters of various fighting disciplines from all around the world — kickboxers, wrestlers, street brawlers, and even a sumo for good measure — with the goal of proving that Jiu Jitsu was the one style that could conquer them all. Twenty three years later, it appears that their theory still holds water.

In a night of absolutely thrilling fights, the aura of invincibility surrounding Conor McGregor — and to a lesser degree, Holly Holm — was shattered by the grappling attack of Nate Diaz and Miesha Tate, respectively. While there are many lessons to take away from the shocking events that unfolded at UFC 196 (and we’ll get into a few below), it is the one that we’ve been hearing for the past two decades that was perhaps the most resounding.

(Like all great artists, McGregor is a man who operates in periods. Picasso had his Blue Period, Dali had his Dada period, and McGregor has clearly entered his “Gay Persian discotheque owner from the 80′s” period.)

In the co-main event of the evening, Holly Holm will get her wish and defend her title against the ever-present top contender Miesha Tate, hoping to become the first female not named Ronda Rousey to defend the bantamweight title in the process. Again, the word “unprecedented” comes to mind.

Earlier today, the first press event for UFC 197 was held, giving both pairs of fighters a chance to lock eyes. Check out the staredowns after the jump.

But then, things started to sort themselves out on Wednesday’s edition of when Dana White told the UFC Tonight gang that “If anyone can hold two belts, it’s Conor McGregor.” With that ringing endorsement now out there in the universe, it was pretty much a given that McGregor would challenge lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos next, which recent reports now indicate will be the case.

(I tell you what, if this rematch happens in ballroom dresses and heels, Holm is FUCKED.)

The rate at which Ronda Rousey has changed her tune following her stunning loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 is enough to give anyone whiplash. Prior to the bout, Rousey was doing nothing short of calling her home runs from the plate, claiming that she would “retire undefeated” and “be known as the greatest fighter that ever lived.” Nowadays, she’s already planning her exit strategy from the sport should she lose her rematch to Holm, telling ESPN, “If I lose, I’ll be done with everything.”

And if what we’ve been hearing out of her camp is any indication, that rematch is not going to go well for her. For starters, she’ll be sticking by Edmund Tarverdyan’s side even though the government will soon be seizing all his assets. Secondly, she’ll spend at least a decent chunk of her time away from the octagon filming back-to-back movies, according to a recent interview with Lorenzo Fertitta.

Shock. Disbelief. Speechlessness. You can insert your own emotion here to sum up your feelings about Holly Holm’s upset win over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 on Saturday night. But please refrain from invoking another emotion: Despair.

Holly Holm’s upset at UFC 193 wasn’t just a win, it was a wrecking of Ronda Rousey’s world. It was the equivalent of throwing a cold glass of water on the shared superstar dreams of Rousey and UFC president Dana White.

Fighters suffer big losses on a fairly regular basis in the UFC; it happens and the good ones always bounce back. But this time was different.